Two quality softball teams who are also rivals will square off on Thursday in Orono.
But, more importantly, the game between the Class B Old Town Coyotes and Class C Orono Red Riots will be a cancer awareness contest.
And cancer directly impacts both schools.
Orono’s starting first baseman is junior Emily LeClair, who was treated for lymphoma and is in remission, according to Orono coach Kristen Espling.
Old Town freshman Gabby Sherman used to play softball but is undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumor which has prevented her from playing.
LeClair and Sherman will each throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the 4:30 p.m. game.
It will be the third straight year Orono and Old Town will play a cancer awareness game.
Old Town High School coach Jenn Plourde played her first cancer awareness game against John Bapst of Bangor four years ago. She explained that the teams will be wearing colors that have been affiliated with those specific types of cancer.
“Gray represents brain cancer and purple represents lymphoma,” said Plourde. “We’ll be wearing all gray uniforms with purple writing on our shirts and Orono will be wearing all purple with gray writing.”
Espling pointed out that it will also be Seniors Day for the Orono softball and baseball teams.
“There’s going to be a big celebration. The Orono High School boosters club will be holding a barbecue and we will also be accepting donations. All the money from the barbecue and the donations will go to Emily LeClair’s team at the Champion the Cure Challenge on August 20th,” said Espling.
The fundraiser for cancer research will be held at the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer.
“The Lafayette Center has been very special to Emily and her family,” said Espling who added that members of the field hockey and softball teams are involved in fundraising projects.
Espling said Plourde has done a “nice job coordinating this event” and that Plourde came up with the idea of playing the game in Orono.
“They had already done some [fundraising] things for Emily so I thought it would be good to have it there,” said Plourde.
“This is going to be pretty special,” said Espling. “It’s nice to be able to dedicate this day to Emily and Gabby.”
Both coaches are also looking forward to the game.
Old Town is currently 9-3 and ranked fifth in Class B North while Orono is 9-4 and seventh in Class C North but knocked off previously undefeated Bucksport 7-6 last week.
“We’re pretty amped up,” said Espling whose Riots lost their season-opener to Old Town 13-1 on April 19 but will bring a six-game winning streak into the game.
“It should be a real good game. They beat Bucksport and are on an upswing,” Plourde said.